Worcester State, 23-16 and riding a nine-game winning streak, earns and automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Lancers also claimed tournament titles in 2002 and 2005.

Westfield State, the 2007 tournament champion and 2008 regular season co-champion with Worcester, is 22-15-1.

Despite being out-hit 14-6, the Owls - the designated visiting team - held a 4-3 lead after six and a half innings. Several of Worcester’s five errors helped contribute to two unearned Westfield runs.

Westfield took a 1-0 first-inning lead when Brad King led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Scott McIntyre’s groundout on a close play at the plate.

Worcester scored three runs on four hits to take a 3-1 third-inning lead. Key hits were an RBI double by Chris Logan and an RBI single by Corey Abbascia.

Westfield tied the score with two runs in the fifth. The Owls loaded the bases on a fielding error, a walk and a bunt single by King. Justin Parr then ripped an RBI single to right field, with the second run scoring when the right fielder mishandled the ball.

The Owls took a 4-3 lead in the sixth. Pinch hitter Garrett Kendziera rapped a single to center field and advanced to second on Mike Trachtenberg’s sacrifice bunt. Peter Hogan then laced an RBI single to center field.

Worcester tied the score in the home half of the sixth on an RBI double to deep center field by Matt Hart.

In Worcester’s key four-run seventh inning, Abbascia continued his fine tournament play by delivering the game-winning hit, an RBI single to left field. The other big hit was a two-run single thru the right side by Ryan Raleigh.

Hart led the Lancers at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a double and RBI. Chris Logan was 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored. Abbascia and Raleigh both had two singles and two RBI.

Hogan was 2 for 4 with an RBI for Westfield.